Newlywed Lindberg seeks more bliss at 13th

Pernilla Lindberg got married on the way to the ISPS Handa Vic Open, which is scarcely the customary preparation for a golf tournament.

Right up on top of Coramandel Peak near Queenstown the Swedish professional and her partner Daniel Taylor tied the knot, the small group of guests flown up to the peak by helicopter.

Now, it’s back to work at 13th Beach. “Obviously it was an incredible week, incredible day, so it's just kind of this happy vibe that I can just kind of keep going on,’’ she said today.

Interestingly Lindberg has Taylor on the bag this week for the Open, but the arrangement that has been in place for a few years has changed; Taylor is caddying for world No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn and Lindberg has a new looper, Roy Clarke.

What happens if Lindberg and Jutanugarn (with hubby on the bag) go down the stretch in a big tournament?

“We're both professionals, so obviously it will probably feel most weird for him, I would say,’’ said Lindberg. “For me, I'll still be the same competitor out there. That's what made ANA more special, obviously being able to do it together, but it will be pretty cool for me to be able to see what I can do it without him on the bag, too.’’

The world No. 41, Lindberg is in her third Vic Open, and she loves the feel of the tournament with men and women playing together for equal prizemoney.

“It's just different,’’ she said. “Every day you're out there, you look up and guys in the group in front of you and guys in the group behind you. It just is nice to show other big tours in the world that it's possible to do an event like this.’’